Merchandising dispensing system



Jan. 21, 1964 R. H. ECKENBACH 3,118,566

MERCHANDISING DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. 26, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 25 7 a? 5&

ATTORNEYS Jan. 21, 1964 R. H. ECKENBACH 3,118,566

MERCHANDISING DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. 26, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 azure WW; #0 my", Maul/N6 SfflfiU/V I 55 b PICK-UP ATTORNEYS 2w 6 Mag 44m Jan. 21, 1964 ECKENBACH MERCHANDISING DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. 26, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Patented .Fan. 21, less 3,118,566 MERQHANDISING DISPENSING SYSTEli I Raymond I-I. Eehenhach, 132%} Jefferson Ave,

Falls Church, Va.

Griginal application Aug. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 757,333, now Patent No. 23%,625, .iuiy 18, 1%1. Divided and this appiication Ian. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 90,593

2% illaims. (Cl. 221-94) This invention relates to systems, structures and combinations whereby information, messages, etc. can be stored for future use, as desired.

The system of this invention has special utility in the field of automatic merchandising or shopping, and for this reason, the invention will be shown and described hereinafter in an exemplary embodiment thereof in this field. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to that particular field inasmuch as novel concepts, structures, techniques and principles embodied therein may also be utilized for other purposes.

An important object of the invention is to design novel and improved structures, arrangements and combinations for the purpose of storing information or orders for future use, as desired, and particularly adapted to provide a workable and commercially acceptable system for automatic shopping or merchandising,

A further object resides in the provision of an automatic shopping system having: novel means for conveniently preparing an order of desired items in the home or some other location removed from the shopping center or stores; and novel means at the store or shopping center for receiving the means containing the prepared order and for transmitting the order to a vending machine adapted to select items or" merchandise from a place of storage in accordance with the items preselected by the ordering means.

Another and more specific object resides in the provision of a novel facsimile sheet and peg board structure constituting the aforesaid ordering means. The facsimile sheet is provided with a plurality of pictorial illustrations representing various items of merchandise and holes are provided in the facsimile sheet and peg board whereby pegs may be passed through desired holes in the facsimile sheet for ultirnate disposition in the peg board.

A still further and also more specific object resides in the provision of a novel structural arrangement of a peg board control unit for removably mounting the peg board and utilizing the arrangement of pegs therein to operate a vending machine.

Yet another object is to provide a novel vending machine particularly adapted to be utilized in combination with the peg board and peg board control unit and designed to permit the automatic vending of items of merchandise according to the arrangement of pegs in the peg board and irrespective of size and shape variations in the merchandise.

An additiond object of the invention is to provide for an overall modernization and simplification of shopping, merchandising or like operations.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in pa t obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The novel features of the invention may be best made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile sheet embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a peg board embodying the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational View of the peg board of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a peg adapted to be used with the facsimile sheet and peg board;

FIGURE 5 is a view of a person using the structures shown in FIGURES l-4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary and perspective view of an exemplary shopping center arrangement illustrating a manner in which orders prepared according to the invention may be handled by attendants or clerks at the shopping center;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary arrangement at the shopping center;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational View of a peg board control unit embodying the invention, and showing the manner of mounting a peg board therein;

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic view of the peg board control unit of FIGURE 8 and showing an exemplary wiring diagram for one item of merchandise;

FIGURE, 10 is a fragmentary plan view, partially sectioned, of a vending machine embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line l111 of FIGURE 10-.

According to the invention, there are provided a facsimile sheet or sheets, a peg board, pegs, a peg board control unit and a vending machine, all as will be fully explained hereinafter. These devices are so constructed and arranged that the peg board and facsimile sheet can be used by the housewife or prospective shopper in the home or at any other desired location to enable an order of merchandise or goods to be preselected by an arrangement of pegs in the peg board. The facsimile sheet is used to permit the predetermined arrangement of pegs in the desired locations in the peg board.

The peg board with the pegs disposed in the preselected arrangement therein, may then be taken by the shopper to the food market or shopping center where the peg board control unit and vending machine will be located. The peg board constitutes the shoppers order and is handed to a clerk who then inserts it into the peg board control unit. The peg board control unit operates in accordance with the preselected arrangement of pegs in the peg board to actuate the vending machine whereby the desired items of merchandise will be selected for delivery and packaging, for example, at a pick-up and check-out station.

A special electronic data processing machine may also be provided in the shopping center and operatively connected to the peg board control unit for the purpose of providing an itemized listing of the various items of merchandise ordered by the arrangement of pegs in the peg board. This listing may also include prices, and the total cost of the order, thus rendering the system more fully automatic.

The food market or shopping center store to be used with the invention may be set up to occupy a minimum of space with an appropriate driveway arrangement or the iike so that the shoppers may drive up to a window to deposit their orders and then drive to another part of the store to pick up and pay for the merchandise ordered.

Facsimile Sheet The facsimile sheet referred to preferably is in the form of a card formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, cardboard or the like, and is provided with indicia or pictorial illustrations thereon representing items of merchandise or the like. The card includes a predetermined arrangement of holes therein situated in alignment with each of the items represented by the indicia or pictorial illustrations.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment thereof in FIGURE 1, it will be observed that numeral 2%) designates a rectangular facsimile'sheet, numeral 22 designates the pictorial illustrations representing the items of merchandise, and numeral 24 designates the holes formed in the facsimile sheet. The pictorial illustrations 22 may be applied to the facsimile sheet in any desired manner, such as by printing, and preferably will show labels, brand names, trademarks, etc., as usually appear on corresponding items of merchandise found on store shelves and racks. More than one of each item may be shown on the facsimile sheet 20, and also, more than one hole 24 may be formed through each ictorial illustration of an item of merchandise, in the event it is desired to order more than one of the same item.

The holes 24 in the facsimile sheet will be arranged therein according to a master plan, for a purpose to be apparent as the description proceeds.

In a proposed embodiment, the facsimile sheet is 9 long, 3 /2" wide and thick, being made of acetate, and containing full color pictorial illustrations 22 of about different products. Like items will be grouped together, for example, all canned soups will be positioned adjacent each other, followed perhaps by baby foods, etc. In other words, a color photograph of one long shelving area in a modern food market might be comparable to the pictorial illustrations on the facsimile sheet. If desired, only one of each item of merchandise may appear on the facsimile sheet. In this embodiment, the holes 24 may be about in diameter.

Any appropriate number of these facsimile sheets 20 may be utilized depending on the food merchandising system to be set up. For example, 20-30 sheets may be necessary in order to provide for a variety and selection comparable to that in present day supermarkets. If desired, pictorial illustrations 22 may be arranged on both sides of the facsimile sheet with the holes 24 going therethrough in predetermined order.

Peg Board and Peg The peg board preferably is also of rectangular outline and made of any suitable electrically insulating or nonconducting material, such as plastic or wood. For example, itmay be made of a therrno-setting, synthetic resin, polyethylene, polystyrene or the like.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIGURES 2 and 3, the peg board 26 is slightly larger than the facsimile sheet 20 in length and width, and is provided with a predetermined arrangement of holes 28 therein.

Suitable means are provided whereby the facsimile sheet 20 may be mounted or arranged on the peg board 26. This means and the arrangement of holes in the facsimile sheet or sheets and peg board are so designed that which a facsimile sheet is placed on the peg board, each of the holes in the facsimile sheet will be substantially coaxially aligned with one of the holes in the peg board.

An exemplary form of this means for mounting the facsimile sheet is shown as including a peripheral ridge Stl extending upwardly from one face of the peg board 26 and completely enclosing or circumscribing the holes 28 therein. This peripheral, rectangular ridge 34 is of substantially the same inner dimensions as the length and width of the facsimile sheet 20 so as to receive the sheet therein in superimposed relation to the peg board, with the holes 24 in the facsimile sheet being aligned with corresponding or related holes 28 in the peg board.

The depth of the ridge 30 preferably is approximately equal to the thickness of the sheet 2% while the thickness of the remainder of the peg board 26, in one proposed embodiment, may be approximately /2".

The number of holes 28 in the peg board preferably corresponds to the approximate volume or number of items available in present day food markets. For example, in the proposed embodiment referred to, the board 26 may contain 6,000 holes, the number and arrangement of these holes 23 corrseponding to the number and arrangements of the holes or perforations 24 in the facsimile sheets 2%. In other words, the number and arrangement of these holes 28 and the holes 24 on the various iacsimile sheets 2% that may be used will be such that when any one of the facsimhe sheets is placed within the ridge 3% of the peg board, with the items of merchandise illustrated on the facsimile sheet facing upwardly or exposed, each of the holes 24 in the facsimile sheets will be aligned with a hole 28 in the peg board, and each hole 23 represents an item of merchandise. In FIGURE 2, the holes 28 are shown as being arranged in longitudi nal rows 27 and transverse files 29, some of the holes being omitted from the drawing for convenience and clarity of illustration. It will be understood that the number and arrangement of holes 23 may be varied, as desired.

The holes 28 are adapted to receive pegs, such as that indicated by numeral 32 in FIGURE 4. As shown, the peg 32 is larger at one end than the other to present an intermediate shoulder 34, and the holes 28 are counterbored, as best seen in FIGURE 3, whereby the pegs may be retained therein. Again in the proposed embodiment, the holes 28 may be 4 in diameter for and a somewhat smaller diameter for the remainder of the thickness of the peg board. The pegs may be of corresponding but slightly smaller dimensions to permit an easy but press fit entry through the facsimile sheet and into the holes in the peg board.

The pegs 32 will be made of a suitable electrically conductive material, such as metal. These pegs may be manufactured so as to be initially connected together as by plastic to form a conveniently handled rod 32' (see FIGURE 5), the plastic joint between adjacent pegs permitting the shopper to break off pegs after their entry into the peg board. The plastic joint between adjacent, connected pegs in the rod would be of such character as to be easily broken and removed from engagement to the pegs, as desired.

A metal peg 32 present in a hole 23 in the peg board represents the means for closing an electrical circuit in electronic data processing equipment, as will be evident in FIGURE 8. It will thus be appreciated that the peg board may be conveniently used with electronic data processing equipment, with the pegs 32 serving as the media for programming, computing, inventory, scheduling, billing, surveying, polling, and like procedures.

The opposite shorter edges of the peg board 26 are shown as being provided with projections 36. The purpose of these projections will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Layout Diagram FIGURE 7 illustrates, schematically, an exemplary layout at the food market for receivin and filling the orders carried by the peg board. In this layout, numeral 38 indicates the order receiving station, numeral 49 the vending machine, numeral 42 a conveyor passing through the vending machine, numeral 44 a packag ng and pick-up station, and numeral 46 an electronic data processing machine. The conveyordZ may be of any conventional form, such as an endless belt trained around rollers 48 and driven by any appropriate means.

As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, the peg board control unit is located at the order receiving station 3-8 and will operate when a peg board is placed therein to actuate the vending machine 4% and electronic data processing machine 46, whereby the desired items will be delivered on the conveyor belt 42 to the packagstation 44, and the electronic data processing machine may produce an itemized listing of the goods, with their prices.

Peg Board Control Unit According to one embodiment of the invention, the peg board control unit preferably includes means for mounting the peg board 26 in a predetermined position, with a plurality of electrical contact points arranged onpair of spaced members disposed on opposite sides of he peg board mounting means, the electrical contact points on one of said members being arranged in the same order and in alignment with corresponding contact points on the other of said members, and with means for effecting relative movement between said members and the peg board mounting means whereby any pegs in the peg board will be engaged at opposite ends by said contact points. Each pair of aligned contact points in the spaced members preferably are connected in an electrical control circuit which will operate the vendin machine, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

An ex mplary construction for the peg board control unit to be used with this invention is illustrated in FIG- URES 8 and 9 and identified by numeral 50. As shown in FiGURE 8, this unit may include a generally rectangular outer frame 52 having a bottom member 54, top member 56 and intermediate member 58 mounted therein. The bottom member 54 is shown as being stationarily mounted on the base 64 of the frame, while the members 56, 53 are arranged by suitable means for vertical reciprocatory movement therein. This means is shown as including upper d2 and lower 64 gears suitably mounted in the frame 52 in a stationary vertical position for rotation on horizontal axes and in engagement with racks d6, 63 formed on the sides of the members 56, 58, as indicated. The opposite sides of these members 56, 58 are shown as including a lateral projection 76 slidably disposed in a vertically extending groove 72 formed in the adjacent side 74 or" the frame 52. Rotation of the gears (in, '54 may be effected by a handle 7t? extending through an opening 78 in the side 8-? of the frame 52 and carrying a rack 82 at its inner end in engagement with the gears 62, 6 as indicated.

The intermediate member 58 may be generally U- shaped in plan, for reception of the peg board 26. The istance between the legs 84 of this member 52 is ap- 1 roximately equal to the length of the peg board, and rabbets or grooves are formed in these legs whereby t e projections 36 on the pe board may be slidably inserted thereinto, or removed therefrom, as is evident.

The top 6 and bottom 54 members are shown as (DYE These contact points are ar- .11 each member, as shown, and each pair $3 of contact points on the bottom member 54 is substantial vercal alignment with a corresponding pair of contact points 38, 99 in the top member 56, as is apparent. The number, arrangement and order of these p is of lower contact points 3%, $3 and upper c ntact points 33', 9% correspond to the number, arrangement order of the holes 23 in the peg board 26 when the latter is mounted in the intermediate member 5%. It will be understood suitable stop means (not shown) will be provided on legs 84 of the intermediate member 53 to the inward movement or" the peg board 26 as it is g slid-ably mounted therein in order to insure proper of the peg board holes 23 with the contact 33, 83', 9%. fires 3*2, $4 are connected to the contact points 88, 9% in the lower membe 5'4, and extend therethrough for suitable connection respectively to the electronic data processing machine 4% and the vending machine 453, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. And wires 52, 9- are connected to the contact points 88', 9% in the upper member 56 extending therethrough, and are suitably connected to a source of power. Appropriate l rical insulation will be provided around these wires. desired, members 54, E6 may be made of a non-conductive materi i, such as plastic, with the wires 92, 92, 94, 1 4- embedded therein.

FIGURE 9 illustrates schematically the peg board control unit Si? and one set of wires 92, 94 and 92, 94. The Wires 92, 94' for upper contacts 38', 90 are shown 6 as being connected to a power line 96 while the wires 92, 94 for lower contacts 83, 90 are respectively shown as extending to the processing machine 46, grounded as at 93, and also to a solenoid or electromagnetic relay 160, grounded as at 102. This solenoid 100 operates in the exemplary vending machine construction, and a multitude of such solenoids will be provided, all as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. It will be understood that the other sets of aligned upper and lower pairs of contact points 88, 90, 88, 90 will be electrically connected to the power line 96 and machine 45, and also to other solenoids 100, as will be evident as the description proceeds.

The electronic data processing machine 50, and its associated circuitry including the contact points 88, 88 wires 92, 92' are not essential to the invention although as mentioned heretofore, it renders the system more automatic and provides other advantages.

It should be apparent from FIGURE 8 that movement of the handle 76 upwardly will effect counterclockwise rotation of the gears 62, 54 which will in turn cause the members '56, 58 to move downwardly through engagement with the racks 66, 63 and until the members 54, 56, 58 are in engagement with each other so that any pegs 32 in the peg board 26 will be brought into contact wi h their respective and corresponding contact points 88, 90, 88', 90'. The contact points 88, 90 will be bridged by the bottom of the peg 32 while the upper contact points 88, 99 will be bridged by the top of the peg. Thus, the respective loop for the machine 53 and solenoid 100 will be closed. After the order has been taken off the peg board 26 in this manner, the handle 76 will then be elevated to return the members 56, 53 to the positions thereof shown in FIGURE 8. If desired, a handle and gear and rack arrangement similar to that shown may be provided on the opposite or left side of the members 56, 58 and suitably connected thereto for movement together with the handle and gear arrangement shown. Suitable biasing means, such as springs (not shown) may be provided for continuously urging members 56, 58 upwardly.

The upper member 56 is shown as including a projected area 18 on its lower face which will correspond to the length and width of the area defined within the ridge 3% on the peg board 26 for entry thereinto when the handle is elevated, to assure desired contact between the contact points 88', and the upper end of the pegs. The length of the pegs 32 preferably will be such that they project somewhat from either end of the peg board holes 28 for proper engagement with the com tact points, as indicated in FIGURE 8.

Vending Machine In a broad aspect, the vending or merchandise dispensing machine 49 contemplated by the invention includes a plurality of push rods arranged in parallelism, means for mounting merchandise laterally of each rod, with provision being made for reciprocating the push rods in the direction of their longitudinal axes and in different amplitudes with at least one operating arm being loosely mounted on each of the rods and extending laterally therefrom for engagement with merchandise, there further being provided means for selectively and detachably drivingly engaging said arms to their respective rods for reciprocation therewith to dispense the desired items. The main purpose of the difierent amplitudes of reciprocation for the push rods and the means for selectively engaging the operating arms thereto is to permit dispensing of products which are not uniform in size and shape. The push rods preferably are reciprocated by a master pusher bar and the means for selectively and detachably drivingly engaging the operating arms to their respective rods is controlled by the peg board control unit, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

An illustrative embodiment of the vending machine it? 7 is shown in FIGURES 10 and 11. As best seen in FIG- URE 10, the upper flight of the conveyor belt 42 extends through or under the vending machine and shelves 106, 108, 110 for merchandise are disposed thereabove. These shelves may be supported by any suitable structure, such as the generally rectangular frame 112. Shelves 106, 108 are shown as being connected to and extending outwardly from the side 114 of the frame 112, while the shelf 110* is shown as being connected at either end thereof to the opposite sides 116, 118 of the frame 112. Merchandise of different sizes and shapes will be suitably arranged in stacks above these shelves, as indicated. The merchan disc on shelf 106 is indicated by numeral 120, the merchandise on shelf 108 is indicated by numeral 122 and the merchandise on shelf 110 is indicated by numeral 124- Two parallel and transversely extending horizontal push rods 126, 128 are shown as being mounted adjacent the shelves 106, 108, 110. These push rods may be mounted for reciprocation in the direction of their axes by means of bushings 131 132 carried by narrow supporting platforms 134 connected at either end to the opposite sides 116, 118 of the frame 112, as shown. The rods 126, 128 preferably will be at substantially the same elevation as the adjacent shelves, and the shelves 166, 198, 110 may all be coplanar.

A master pusher bar 136 is shown as being arranged adjacent one end of the rods 126, 128 with blind holes. 138, 140 being provided in the leading edge thereof for receiving the ends of these rods 126, 128, respectively, as shown. Rod 128 is shown as being of a greater length than rod 126, and hence, extends farther into the hole 14%} provided therefor in the bar 138. The other ends of the rods 126, 128 are shown as being mounted in a hole 142 in guide elements 144 carried by the side 118 of frame 112, as indicated. Suitable means, such as a compression spring 146, is shown as being arranged in the holes 142 for urging the rods 126, 128 toward the pusher bar 136. Detents 148, 150 are shown as being provided on the rods 126, 128, respectively, for abutment against the bushings 136 to limit the movement of the rods under the bias of the springs 142.

The pusher bar 136 is reciprocated bodily by appropriate means in the direction of the axes of the rods 126, 128 (see arrow A). This means may include a horizontally reciprocating driving arm 152 mounted in a bearing 154, as shown, and driven by a crank arm 156 connected to a fly wheel .158 carried by the output shaft 160 of a prime mover or motor 162. The left hand end of the pusher bar 136 is shown in FIGURE 10 as being slida'bly disposed in a horizontally extending groove 164 formed in the side 114 of frame 112. The other end of the pusher bar 136 may be similarly mounted in the opposite side of the frame 112 (not shown).

Hence, it will be apparent that as the pusher bar is reciprocated by the motor 162, crank 156 and driving arm 152 in the direction of the arrow A, the inner ends of the blind holes 138, 140 will be brought into engagement with the adjacent ends of the rods 126, 128 to drive them against springs 146 and into the holes 142 in the guide elements 144, the springs 146 efieoting the return movement of the rods. Inasmuch as the rod 128 extends farther into its hole 140, and inasmuch as these holes are of substantially equal depth, the amplitude of the reciprocation Off rod 128 will be greater than that of the rod 126. The purpose of this will be apparent as the description proceeds.

The rods 126, 128 are provided with an operating arm see for each stack of merchandise 120, 122, 1124. These operating arms may be of identical construction, and are shown as being joined at their inner ends to a cylindrical portion 168 encircling the rod, and of an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the rods so as to be mounted loosely thereon, as best seen in FIGURE 11. The arms 165 extend generally radially and horizontally from the cylindrical portions 168 andare normally disposed on the adjacent shelf to the rear of the stack of merchandise carried by that shelf, as indicated in FIGURE 10'. Normally, the rods 126, 128 will reciprocate freely through the cylindrical portions 168, the latter remaining stationary due to the loose fit on the rods, as indicated in FIGURE 11. However, means are provided for drivingly engaging the cylindrical portions 168 to their respective push rods, when it is desired to dispense merchandise from one or more of the stacks 120, 122, i124. means is best shown in FIGURE 11 as including one of the solenoids liltl' suitably mounted on top of each cylindrical portion 168, and provided with a reciprocating armature 17% normally extending partially through an aligned hole 172 in the cylindrical portion 168', and adapted to enter into a slot or notch 174 formed in the rods 125, 128 immediately therebeneath, as shown. A compression spring 176 is illustrated as abutting against the top of the solenoid 1430 and a flange 178 on the armature 179 for continuously urging the armature in an upward direction, while a shoulder 18d is shown on the armature 17 t) for engagement to the bottom of the solenoid to limit the upward movement thereof, in the manner indicated.

Each of the solenoids 1i?!) mounted on the cylindrical portions 168 for each operating arm 1166 will be connected by one of the wires 94 to the peg board control unit, as previously described (see FIGURE 9). The wires 94 adjacent the soienoids will have sufiicient slack in them to enable the solenoids 1% to move freely with the operating arm 166 and cylindrical portion 168 when the solenoid has been energized to engage the armature 17% in the slot 174, whereby the operating arm in question will reciprocate with its push rod.

Thus, assuming all or only some of the solenoids 1% on the operating arms 166 shown in FIGURE 10 have been energized through the peg board control unit or a similar device to drivingly connect such with their respective rods 126, 128, for example, in response to the presence of pegs 32 in the peg board 25 corresponding to these solenoids to be energized, such arms 16o will be reciprocated with their push rods to cause an item of merchandise to be moved from the adjacent stack of merchandise off the shelf and onto the conveyor belt. The shelf 11% is shown as being provided with appropriate openings 1S2, 184 therein whereby the item of merchandise being pushed by the adjacent operating arms will drop onto the conveyor belt, as is evident. On the return movement, the operating arms 166 will engage a detent 186 provided on the shelves to arrest rearward movement at substantially the same time that the detents 148, 15% on the rods 125, 1:28 engage the bushings 130. At this time, the energized solenoids 11% may be deenergized and the springs 176 will return the armatures 179 to their normal position shown in FIGURE 11. Or, the motor 162 may be deenergized after each complete cycle of reciprocation of bar 136.

The operating arm may be provided with lugs 188 which engage the merchandise and push it off the shelves so that as the stack of merchandise tends to fall or drop into the vacancy created by the item dispensed onto the conveyor, it will rest on the operating arm, and after the arm returns to the retracted position thereof, shown in FIGURE 10, the stack of merchandise will then be free to drop or fall onto the shelf, to place another item in the line of the reciprocatory movement of the adjacent operating arm. It will be understood that conventional means (not shown) may be provided for mounting the Inerchmdise in a stack above the shelves so that as one item thereof is dispensed and the operating arm returned to its normal retracted position, another item of merchandise will drop onto the shelf in alignment with the adjacent operating arm. By virtue of the construction and arrangement of the rods 12s, 128 in the vending machine, 1t 1s possible to selectively dispense desired items of merchandise, irrespective of variations in their sizes am ss and shapes, by the convenient expedient of having the pusher bar 136 reciprocating in a substantially constant amplitude. In other words, as the pusher bar 136 is reciprocated, the merchandise on the stacks .120, 122, 124 will be dispensed or not dispensed, depending on whether or not the solenoid 1G0 associated with the adjacent operating am 166 is energized. Hence, merchandise can be dispensed from any one or more of these stacks, in accordance with the positioning of pegs 32 in the peg board 26, irrespective of the configuration and size of the package or container for the merchandise. The different amplitudes of the reciprocatory motion of rods 126, 128 will be utilized for dispensing articles of difierent size. For example, articles of a larger Width or thickness can be dispensed by rod 123 than by rod 125 since he former has a greater amplitude of reciprocation.

It should be evident that although only two rods 126, 128 have been shown, additional push rods may be arranged, as desired, adjacent additional shelves for merchandise, in a manner similar to that described for rods 126, 12 8 and shelves 106, 1G8, 119. These additional push rods will be provided with operating arms and solenoids therefor, and be drivingly connected to pusher bar 336 (as described heretofore with reference to rods 126, 123) for reciprocation thereby in amplitudes different from those for rods 126, 128, as will be appreciated. The energization of the solenoids for the operating arm on these additional push rods may again be controlled by the presence or absence of pegs 32 in corresponding holes in the peg board when the latter is used in the peg board control unit 54 By reason of the use of such additional rods, the variety of merchandise that can be dispensed will be greater, as is evident.

Electronic Processing Equipment The electronic processing machine 46, shown in FIG- URES 7 and 9, may be of any appropriate design and construction capable of producing certain types of desired information in accordance with the positioning and arrangement of the pegs in the peg board, when the latter is utilized in the peg board control unit. For example, this machine may prepare the following information:

(l) A detailed, individual shopping list for each customer identifying all the items of merchandise ordered, by name, if desired, and together with the cost of each item plus the sum total.

(2) A financial statement consistent with inventory received, inventory sold, overhead, known depreciation, etc.

(3) A detailed vendor shopping list to be transmitted by appropriate means to a supply point, the list including the name and amount of the items needed, the date required, and a loading pattern.

An electronic prOceSsing machine, of the above type and capable of performing the functions referred to, may be of any of the conventional types presently being manufactured by such companies as International Business Machines and Remington Rand. it should be noted that the electronic processing machine is not an essential part of the invention, and may be omitted, if desired.

General Procedure And Operation in using the invention, the shopper will scan a booklet or catalog (not shown) containing the various items that may be desired. For exmple, as previously indicated, the system of the invention may be designed for the merchandising of 6,000 different items which may be pictorially illustrated on a plurality, such as 40, of the facsimile sheets 21). These facsimile sheets preferably are appropriately arranged so as to comprise the booklet or catalog. When the shopper locates the item desired, the facsimile sheet bearing the same is superimposed on the peg board 26 and a peg 32 from rod 32 is passed through the perforation or hole 24 for that particular item or product, and into the aligned hole 28 in the peg 10 board, as indicated in FIGURE 5. This operation will be repeated for each item desired.

The peg board 26, together With the pegs 32 lodged therein in the holes 28 corresponding to the preselected items of merchandise, will then be delivered to the food market or shopping center. (As previously indicated, the pegs 32 may be of such size as to be held by friction in their holes 28.) FIGURE 6 illustrates a food market 1% and driveway arrangement 192 whereby the shopper may drive to the window 194 corresponding to the order receiving station, and hand the peg board to a clerk, who in turn will place the peg board in the peg board control unit 5%) and effect operation of the handle 76 thereof, either manually or by automatic means, whereby the vending or dispensing machine 40 will be actuated to dispense the various items, selected by the arrangement of pegs 32 in the peg board, onto the conveyor belt 42 for delivery to the pick-up station 4 where another clerk may handle the paying and other transactions for completion of the order.

It should be evident from the foregoing description that when handle 76 is actuated to bring the peg board 26 into engagement with the members 54, 56, each peg in the board 26 will engage the corresponding set of contact points 88, '95 88, 90' to thereby energize the corresponding solenoid 10d and to indicate in the electronic machine do the item of merchandise being dispensed by reason of the energization of that particular solenoid.

Following the insertion of the peg board in the control unit 56 and the closing of the contact points therein, the clerk may then actuate two switches, one to initiate operation or" the prime mover .162 for one complete cycle of reciprocation of the pusher bar 135, and the other to start the electronic data processing machine as. After the vending machine switch is closed, the push rods 126, 128 will be moved through only one cycle of reciprocation so that the energized solenoids lfill will effect depositing of the ordered items on the belt 42. The vending machine will then be inactive until the next order is ready to be taken.

When using an electronic processing machine of the type previously described, the clerk at the order receiving window 194 may be provided with the itemized list containing the names or" the products or items ordered, their cost, and a sum total, shortly after the peg board has been placed into the peg board control unit. While this and the paying transaction are taking place at the Window E4, the vending machine 46 will be dispensing the merchandise, and when this latter operation is completed, the peg board, with the pegs removed, will be returned to the shopper. Either before or after the paying transaction, the various items of merchandise which have been ordered will be gathered, packaged and delivered to the shopper, such as at the station 4 3.

The advantages of the system or this invention to the shopper and vendor will be apparent. The time and inconvenience involved in shopping by the so-called selfservice system in present day supermarkets will be eliminated. Such operations as handling and computing each item at a check-out stand, handling carts, the entire chi n of paperwork operations, assisting the shopper both by carrying packages to a car or operating a pick-up line, will also be eliminated. Furthermore, it will not be necessary for the vendor to replenish stock in the usual fashion. This may be accomplished either by a listing from ie electronic data processing machine, or by peg board whereby each hole in the peg board will represent a predetermined amount of a particular item and the peg board with the pegs in the desired holes therein will be delivered to the supplier for use, for example, in COZlEC tion with a peg board control unit and dispensing machine such as those described heretofore.

The present invention will thus be seen to completely and effectively accomplish the objects enumerated hereinabove. It will be realized, however, that various changes and substitutions may be made to the specific embodiments disclosed herein for the purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention, without departing from these principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

This case is a division of the application of Raymond H. Eckenbach, fiied August 26, 1958, Serial No. 757,383, for Systems and Structures for Storing and Utilizing information, Data, etc., now matured into Patent No. 2,992,625, issued July 18, 1961.

I claim:

1. Article positioning apparatus including: a plurality of push rods arranged in parallelism; means for bodily reciprocating said push rods in the direction of their longitudinal axes; the amplitude of such reciprocation being different for each of said rods; at least one operating arm loosely mounted near one end thereof on each oi: said rods and extending laterally from its respective rod; and means for selectively and detac-hably drivingly engaging said arms to their respective rods for reciprocation therewith.

2. Merchandise positioning apparatus including: a push rod, means for bodily reciprocating said push rod in the direction of its longitudinal axis; means for mounting merchandise laterally of said rod; an operating arm loosely mounted near one end thereof on said rod and extending laterally from its res ective rod to a position on one side of merchandise on said mounting means; and means for detachably drivingly engaging said arm to said rod so that said arm will reciprocate therewith to move merchandise off said mounting means.

3. Merchandise positioning apparatus comprising: a master pusher member; means for reciprocating said member; a push rod arranged with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the direction of reciprocation of said member; means for restraining said rod against movement transverse its longitudinal axis; means for drivingly engaging said rod to said member for reciprocation therewith; means for mounting merchandise adjacent to md laterally of said rod; an operating arm loosely mounted on said rod so as to be restrained against movement transverse to the longitudinal axis of said rod and extending laterally therefrom to a position on one side of merchandise on said mounting means; and means for detachably drivingly engaging said arm to said rod so that said arm will reciprocate therewith to move merchandise oft said mounting means.

4. Merchandise positioning apparatus comprising: a master pusher member; means :for reciprocating said member; a plurality of push rods arranged in parallelism with their longitudinal axes disposed generally parallel to the direction of reciprocation of said member; means for drivingly engaging said rods to said member for reciprocation therewith; the amplitude of reciprocation being difierent for each of said rods; merchandise arranged in vertical stacks disposed laterally of each of said rods; an operating arm loosely mounted near one end thereof on each of said rods and extending laterally from its respective rod to a position on one side of said stack of merchandise; and means for selectively and detachably drivingly engaging said arms to their respective rods for reciprocation therewith to move merchandise from said stack thereof.

5. Apparatus of the character described including: means for mounting vertical stacks of merchandise; means for removing merchandise from one or more of said stacks in accordance with a preselected order; means for operating said last-named means and including an electrically non-conductive board formed with a plurality of holes therein in predetermined arrangement; an electrically conductive peg mounted in one or more of said holes; contact points arranged on opposite sides of said board for engagement with opposite ends of said pegs;

and electrical circuit means operatively connected to said contact points and to said means for removing merchandise to actuate the latter means in response to engagement of said peg with said contact points.

6. Apparatus of the character described including: a plurality of horizontal push rods arranged in parallelism; means for bodily reciprocating said push rods in the direction of their longitudinal axes; at least one operating arm loosely mounted near one end thereof on each of said rods and extending laterally from its respective rod; means for selectively and detachably engaging said arms to their respective rods for reciprocation therewith; said last-named means including: a solenoid for each of said arms; and means for changing the magnetic condition of each of said solenoids to effect driving engagement or disengagement of said arms with their respective rods.

7. Apparatus of the character described including: a push rod; means for bodily reciprocating said push rod in the direction of its longitudinal axis; means for mounting merchandise laterally of said rod; an operating arm loosely mounted on said rod and extending laterally therefrom to a position on one side of merchandise on said mounting means; means for detachably drivingly engaging said arm to said rod so that said arm will reciprocate therewith to move merchandise ofI said mounting means; said lastnamed means including: an electrical circuit comprising a solenoid operatively connected to said arm; a board formed with a predetermined arrangement of holes therethrough; at least one electrically conductive peg removably arranged in one of said holes; and means for operatively connecting opposite ends of said peg into said circuit for changing the magnetic condition of said solenoid.

8. A device of the character described comprising: a

card haivng indicia thereon representing items of merchandise or the like, said card being formed with a predetermined spacing of holes situated in alignment with each of said items; a board formed with a predetermined arrangement of holes therein; means for arranging said .card on said board so that each of the holes in said card is aligned with one of the holes in said board; a plurality of electrically conductive pegs being passed through desired aligned holes in said card and said board; means for retaining said pegs in the holes in said board; apparatus for utilizing the arrangement of said pegs in said board for preselected dispensing of merchandise or the like, said apparatus including: means for mounting stacks of merchandise; means for removing merchandise from one or more of said stacks in accordance with the arrangement of said pegs in said board; spaced eiectrical contacts arranged in the same spatial relation as the holes in said board and arranged on opposite sides of said board; means for mounting said board for engagement of said contacts to whatever pegs are in said board; and the operation of said means for removing merchandise being determined by the presence or absence of said pegs in said holes in said board.

9. The structure defined in claim 8 wherein said means for removing merchandise includes: a plurality of generally horizontal push rods arranged in parallelism with said means for mounting merchandise being disposed intermediate each two adjacent rods; means for reciprocating said rods in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes; an operating arm loosely mounted on each of said rods, and extending laterally thereof for engagement with merchandise carried by said merchandise mounting means; movable means fordrivingly engaging or disengaging said arms relative to their respective rods; said last-named means being operatively connected to said spaced electrical contacts to be moved into position drivingly engaging said arms to said rods in accordance with the contact of said pegs to said electrical contacts.

10. Article positioning apparatus comprising: a dispensing platform means at a dispensing station having areas for supporting a plurality of spaced apart stacks of bulky objects of varying size; conveyor means cooperatively positioned with respect to said platform means to receive selected bulky objects from said platform means; means for selectively moving containers from said stacks onto said conveyor means, said last-mentioned means including push rods reciprocable along their longitudinal axis between said container stacks, operating arms extending transversely of said push rods for selective engagement with containers, to move the containers from said stacks onto said conveyor means; and control means operative at a remote station for selectively engaging said operating arm with said reciprocable push rods.

11. Article positioning apparatus defined in claim wherein said platform means includes a plurality of spaced apart, longitudinally extending mounting members positioned generally parallel to one another for receiving longitudinally spaced apart stacks of containers therealong, means cooperatively positioned with respect to said supporting members for depositing containers onto said conveyor means, said push rods being positioned in spaced apart parallel relationship between said mounting members, and said operating arms extending laterally of said push rods in alignment with said supporting areas.

12. Article positioning apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said conveyor means is disposed below said mounting members and said means for depositing containers onto said conveyor means includes openings in said mounting members above said conveyor means.

13. In an apparatus of the character described comprising: a peg board formed with a pattern of holes therein; electrically conductive pegs operative for removable insertion in selected peg board holes; frame means for removably receiving said peg board, said frame means including electrical conductors arranged for selective engagement with pegs inserted in said peg board; means for effecting a relative movement between said peg board and said frame means to form an electrical contact between pegs inserted in said holes and the adjacent conductors; electrical circuit means operatively connected to said conductors said circuit means including actuating mechanisms operative for independent actuation by the electrical connection between a peg and its associated conductor; and merchandise dispensing means operative in response to actuation of different actuating mechanisms to dispense a separate commodity in accordance with the selected peg inserted in said peg board.

14. Apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said peg board is constructed of rigid material of substantial thickness, and said pegs are constructed for manual insertion therein when said peg board is removed from said frame means.

15. Apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said frame means includes a guide track for removably receiving said peg board, said frame means being operative to receive said peg board along said guide track after said pegs are manually inserted in said peg board when the latter is removed from said frame means.

16. Apparatus defined in claim 15 including a card operative to be removably positioned on said peg board, said card having holes therethrough corresponding to at least some of the holes in said peg board, said card also having indicia thereon designating the commodity to be dispensed by the particular actuating mechanism which is actuated by the peg inserted into a given hole in said peg board.

17. Apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said frame means includes a stationary lower portion carrying said conductors and an upper portion spaced from said lower portion; guide track means positioned between said upper portion and said lower portion for receiving said peg board in transverse relationship, said upper portion forming a part of said electrical circuit, and means for moving said guide track means and said upper portion towards said lower portion to close said electrical circuit, wherein said pegs are electrical in contact with both the conductors of said lower portion and said upper portion.

18. Apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said dispensing means includes a dispensing station including platform means having areas for supporting a plurality of spaced apart stacks of bulky objects of varying size; conveyor means cooperatively positioned with respect to said platform means to receive selected bulky objects from said platform means; means for selectively moving containers from said stacks onto said conveyor means, said last-mentioned means including push rods reciprocable along their longitudinal axis between said container stacks, operating arms extending transversely of said push rods for selective engagement with containers to move the containers from said stacks onto said conveyor means; said actuating means being operative for selectively engaging said operating arms with said reciprocable push rods.

19. Apparatus defined in claim 18 wherein said platform means includes a plurality of spaced apart, longitudinally extending mounting members positioned generally parallel to one another for receiving longitudinally spaced apart stacks of containers therealong, means cooperatively positioned with respect to said supporting members for depositing containers onto said conveyor means, said push rods being positioned in spaced apart parallel relationship between said mounting members, and said operating arms extending laterally of said push rods in alignment with said supporting areas.

20. Apparatus defined in claim 19 wherein said conveyor means is disposed below said mounting members and said means for depositing containers onto said conveyor means includes openings in said mounting members above said conveyor means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,390,587 Rohwer Sept. 13, 1921 2,353,002 Armbruster July 4, 1944 2,616,573 Grady Nov. 4, 1952 2,858,042 Gabrielsen et al. Oct. 28, 1958 2,864,385 Buchholz et al. Dec. 16, 1958 2,892,907 Richmond et al. June 30, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 359 Great Britain Jan. 5, 1911 

1. ARTICLE POSITIONING APPARATUS INCLUDING: A PLURALITY OF PUSH RODS ARRANGED IN PARALLELISM; MEANS FOR BODILY RECIPROCATING SAID PUSH RODS IN THE DIRECTION OF THEIR LONGITUDINAL AXES; THE AMPLITUDE OF SUCH RECIPROCATION BEING DIFFERENT FOR EACH OF SAID RODS; AT LEAST ONE OPERATING ARM LOOSELY MOUNTED NEAR ONE END THEREOF ON EACH OF SAID RODS AND EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM ITS RESPECTIVE ROD; AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY AND DETACHABLY DRIVINGLY ENGAG- 